The sinful business of selling birds and releasing them to make merit in Bangkok and major tourist destinations still exists, with the birds caught in this movement.

It costs 10-20 baht each when sold to philanthropists.

back with a soaring price

from hundreds to thousands of baht

Especially doves and pigeons according to the beliefs of Chinese tourists.

"Dr. Satit Prachya-ariyakul" Secretary-General and Director

Thailand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA) said that cruelty to animals

By bringing birds to sell to people who come to make merit and foreigners around the Brahma Shrine.

Ratchaprasong Intersection

Currently, there are many complaints to the Foundation, therefore, a letter of complaint has been sent to the court administrator.

and received a response that

Such activities are not supported by the moderators.

But there has been an ongoing act of smuggling.

The situation of smuggling birds to sell around the temple

and places of worship

There will be a change from the original use of Kratie Kee Mu.

that is now a protected animal

Therefore, there are legal penalties.

Therefore smuggling doves and pigeons to sell instead. For example, in the area of ​​Wat Phra Sri Mahathat, Bang Khen, there was a similar modification.

In the past, the people who brought the pigtails to peddle, mostly came from the Ayutthaya and Ratchaburi areas because the birds live in the rice fields. Their habits like to live in groups.

This makes it possible for people to catch and sell them in large numbers.

Currently, there is no bird farm.

to be released in this business

But most of them are commonly caught birds.

because of these birds

Once released, it can't go anywhere far.

Because I can't eat by myself.

In the end, it was brought back for sale again.

which instead of the release person will receive merit

turns into a sinful business cycle

for the cost of birds in this cycle

They were sold for 10-20 baht each when sold in Bangkok.

The price will increase to 100 baht per piece and may reach thousands of baht.

If selling to foreign tourists

“A bird released from a hawker

There is a low survival rate, with an average of 100, with only 10 surviving because they cannot survive in the city.

Some flew into the window and died.

together with the injuries since being arrested

because being trapped by the net causing the body to be traumatized

When transporting to Bangkok

was stuffed in a narrow cage

Until someone buys it and releases it.

The bird's body was very weakly injured.”

for religious beliefs

about the release of birds for merit making

or releasing a pair of doves

in order to make life fulfilling according to the beliefs of Chinese tourists

It's a problem that many countries encounter.

According to a study, Cambodia releases 700,000 birds per year, while Hong Kong releases 500,000 birds per year.

to the impact on the environment

and cruelty to animals

Therefore, it is something that Thai tourism agencies should promote.

“Birds should be in the sky.

Abuse should not be encouraged.

So the solution

must encourage public participation

thus making these sinful movements possible

which is now considered much lower than before

Because making merit by releasing birds or releasing fish

It will be what keeps the cycle of sin alive”.